NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi is a mid-range business property conveniently close to the airport and across the street from a beach. The 124 rooms, like the rest of the property, are modern and streamlined, though a bit on the impersonal side. True to the company, the hotel caters to business as well as leisure travelers, featuring seven meeting rooms, a gorgeous pool, and beach with loungers. Additionally, an excellent Mediterranean restaurant is on-site, and all rates include a free Italian-style continental breakfast. Vacationers might find the logistics of getting into town for sightseeing and dining challenging (and expensive), and there's not a lot to do in the immediate area. For a location in Catania proper, NH loyalists might want to check out the NH Catania Centro, though it lacks a pool.
NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi is a mid-range business property conveniently close to the airport and across the street from a beach. The 124 rooms, like the rest of the property, are modern and streamlined, though a bit on the impersonal side. True to the company, the hotel caters to business as well as leisure travelers, featuring seven meeting rooms, a gorgeous pool, and beach with loungers. Additionally, an excellent Mediterranean restaurant is on-site, and all rates include a free Italian-style continental breakfast. Vacationers might find the logistics of getting into town for sightseeing and dining challenging (and expensive), and there's not a lot to do in the immediate area. For a location in Catania proper, NH loyalists might want to check out the NH Catania Centro, though it lacks a pool.
Therasia Resort is a seasonal four-pearl hotel in a secluded location at the northern tip of Vulcano overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its 97 guest rooms feel a bit dated, and none have coffeemakers, but all come with flat-screen TVs, minibars with free items, and free Wi-Fi, and some have balconies with sea views. Features are impressive -- particularly the Michelin-starred restaurant that serves innovative Sicilian cuisine -- and there are two sea-facing saltwater infinity pools, a full-service spa with a thermal pool, sauna, and steam room, and a fitness center. The main drawbacks are its distance from the ferry, and a beach that's picturesque but rocky. Travelers looking for a stay with a sandy beach can consider The Hotel Mari del Sud Resort, which is also closer to the ferry.
Therasia Resort is a seasonal four-pearl hotel in a secluded location at the northern tip of Vulcano overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its 97 guest rooms feel a bit dated, and none have coffeemakers, but all come with flat-screen TVs, minibars with free items, and free Wi-Fi, and some have balconies with sea views. Features are impressive -- particularly the Michelin-starred restaurant that serves innovative Sicilian cuisine -- and there are two sea-facing saltwater infinity pools, a full-service spa with a thermal pool, sauna, and steam room, and a fitness center. The main drawbacks are its distance from the ferry, and a beach that's picturesque but rocky. Travelers looking for a stay with a sandy beach can consider The Hotel Mari del Sud Resort, which is also closer to the ferry.
The 12-room Hotel Etnea is a lower-middle-range hotel with budget-friendly rates and a standout staff. Located on one of Catania's main streets, it sits across the street from a park, and is near restaurants, shops, and the botanical gardens. It's about a 15-minute walk to the historic heart of the city. The spacious rooms, which have a rustic, country-style decor, sleep from one to four people, and include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, but TVs are tube-style. The hotel has a homey (some might say dated and hokey) lounge, and a country-style breakfast room. Breakfast is free for guests who book online. While there's no elevator, staff will help with luggage. Travelers seeking a hotel closer to the historic center might want to consider the Bianca B&B and Apartments.
The 12-room Hotel Etnea is a lower-middle-range hotel with budget-friendly rates and a standout staff. Located on one of Catania's main streets, it sits across the street from a park, and is near restaurants, shops, and the botanical gardens. It's about a 15-minute walk to the historic heart of the city. The spacious rooms, which have a rustic, country-style decor, sleep from one to four people, and include air-conditioning and free Wi-Fi, but TVs are tube-style. The hotel has a homey (some might say dated and hokey) lounge, and a country-style breakfast room. Breakfast is free for guests who book online. While there's no elevator, staff will help with luggage. Travelers seeking a hotel closer to the historic center might want to consider the Bianca B&B and Apartments.
Arathena Rocks Hotel is a very quiet, low-key property at the southern tip of the Giardini Naxos beach resort. The decor found throughout its common areas and 51 rooms will strike some guests as dark, heavy, and outdated, and others as lovely, charming, and unique. All rooms feature air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, though this is a great place to splurge for a beach-facing room, as they overlook the dramatic sea and feature balconies, while rear rooms have no view and only French balconies. Hotel features include a restaurant serving all meals (a daily breakfast buffet is included in the rates), a saltwater pool, and a well-groomed lawn with seating, all facing the ocean. For a more modern property closer to the action of Taormina, consider VOI Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay.
Arathena Rocks Hotel is a very quiet, low-key property at the southern tip of the Giardini Naxos beach resort. The decor found throughout its common areas and 51 rooms will strike some guests as dark, heavy, and outdated, and others as lovely, charming, and unique. All rooms feature air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs, though this is a great place to splurge for a beach-facing room, as they overlook the dramatic sea and feature balconies, while rear rooms have no view and only French balconies. Hotel features include a restaurant serving all meals (a daily breakfast buffet is included in the rates), a saltwater pool, and a well-groomed lawn with seating, all facing the ocean. For a more modern property closer to the action of Taormina, consider VOI Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay.
The 326-room Astoria Palace Hotel offers simple, mid-range rooms within a long walk or short drive of central Palermo. The hotel is being renovated and there is a wide disparity in room quality here, though even renovated rooms fail to make a lasting impression. On-site Il Cedro Restaurant serves decent Sicilian fare and the hotel does allow small pets, but basic features like free in-room Wi-Fi are missing. Rooms are a value by Palermo standards, but the immediate neighborhood isn’t attractive and the neighboring produce market fills the area with unpleasant smells. Guests looking for a more stylish and centrally located hotel may want to try Porta di Castro, though it will be slightly more expensive.
The 326-room Astoria Palace Hotel offers simple, mid-range rooms within a long walk or short drive of central Palermo. The hotel is being renovated and there is a wide disparity in room quality here, though even renovated rooms fail to make a lasting impression. On-site Il Cedro Restaurant serves decent Sicilian fare and the hotel does allow small pets, but basic features like free in-room Wi-Fi are missing. Rooms are a value by Palermo standards, but the immediate neighborhood isn’t attractive and the neighboring produce market fills the area with unpleasant smells. Guests looking for a more stylish and centrally located hotel may want to try Porta di Castro, though it will be slightly more expensive.
Hotel Mercure Siracusa Prometeo is a modern upper-middle-range hotel opposite Syracuse’s superb Archaeological Park Neapolis, with its Greek theater and Roman amphitheater. As this is one of the city's newer hotels, there are a number of facilities here that many older Syracuse hotels lack. The small rooftop pool is a highlight, with views over the archaeological park, and there’s also a spa. The 93 light and clean rooms have a warm decor and black-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers. The hotel draws business travelers, groups, and tourist couples. However, some travelers may feel like they’re missing out on fully immersing themselves in this historic city due to the hotel’s contemporary feel. For something with more character, Charme Hotel Henry's House is bursting with antique charm and is right in Ortigia.
Hotel Mercure Siracusa Prometeo is a modern upper-middle-range hotel opposite Syracuse’s superb Archaeological Park Neapolis, with its Greek theater and Roman amphitheater. As this is one of the city's newer hotels, there are a number of facilities here that many older Syracuse hotels lack. The small rooftop pool is a highlight, with views over the archaeological park, and there’s also a spa. The 93 light and clean rooms have a warm decor and black-tiled bathrooms with walk-in showers. The hotel draws business travelers, groups, and tourist couples. However, some travelers may feel like they’re missing out on fully immersing themselves in this historic city due to the hotel’s contemporary feel. For something with more character, Charme Hotel Henry's House is bursting with antique charm and is right in Ortigia.
The 296-room RG Naxos Hotel is a three-pearl option right on the beach and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a five-minute drive outside Giardini Naxos, and there's a nearby bus station for getting to Taormina and other spots farther afield. Rooms are spacious and classically decorated, though the look is dated. In-room features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, and some have furnished balconies with beautiful sea views. The outdoor pool overlooks the private beach, and there's an indoor pool in the spa. However, fees for everything from towels to Wi-Fi add up. Travelers looking for lower rates could check out the nearby Atahotel Naxos Beach, which also has an outdoor pool and private beach, as well as a kids' club and recreational options.
The 296-room RG Naxos Hotel is a three-pearl option right on the beach and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a five-minute drive outside Giardini Naxos, and there's a nearby bus station for getting to Taormina and other spots farther afield. Rooms are spacious and classically decorated, though the look is dated. In-room features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars, and some have furnished balconies with beautiful sea views. The outdoor pool overlooks the private beach, and there's an indoor pool in the spa. However, fees for everything from towels to Wi-Fi add up. Travelers looking for lower rates could check out the nearby Atahotel Naxos Beach, which also has an outdoor pool and private beach, as well as a kids' club and recreational options.
This quaint, family-owned value property overlooking the Mediterranean consists of a collection of 23 dammusi, traditional Sicilian stone houses. All of the charming units have safes and radios, but they lack TVs and Wi-FI is only available in some common areas. The property is located on the bay of Cala Creta with access to a rocky beach, and the hotel also runs a shuttle to some of the island’s other beaches and the airport. The location outside of Lampedusa’s busy tourist area makes for a restful stay, though travelers looking to explore the island may want to rent a car or scooter. Those looking to be closer to the main town can try El Mosaico del Sol, which has similar rates and a pool, but lacks the same charming style.
This quaint, family-owned value property overlooking the Mediterranean consists of a collection of 23 dammusi, traditional Sicilian stone houses. All of the charming units have safes and radios, but they lack TVs and Wi-FI is only available in some common areas. The property is located on the bay of Cala Creta with access to a rocky beach, and the hotel also runs a shuttle to some of the island’s other beaches and the airport. The location outside of Lampedusa’s busy tourist area makes for a restful stay, though travelers looking to explore the island may want to rent a car or scooter. Those looking to be closer to the main town can try El Mosaico del Sol, which has similar rates and a pool, but lacks the same charming style.
The 642-room Atahotel Naxos Beach is a three-pearl resort situated on the beach, about a 20-minute drive outside Taormina. The grounds are rich with flowering trees and olive groves, and the sea and Mount Etna are just beyond. Rooms and suites are split between the main building and villas dotting the grounds. Some still have tube TVs and old-style bedspreads, but they include mini-fridges and safes. Furnished balconies have stunning views of the sea or Mount Etna in select units. Five restaurants and several bars are available, as are all-inclusive rates. Activities are abundant for kids and adults, and there are four pools (including a kids' option) plus a private beach area. Travelers looking for a less hectic option could check out the quaint Hotel Palladio instead, which only has 19 rooms.
The 642-room Atahotel Naxos Beach is a three-pearl resort situated on the beach, about a 20-minute drive outside Taormina. The grounds are rich with flowering trees and olive groves, and the sea and Mount Etna are just beyond. Rooms and suites are split between the main building and villas dotting the grounds. Some still have tube TVs and old-style bedspreads, but they include mini-fridges and safes. Furnished balconies have stunning views of the sea or Mount Etna in select units. Five restaurants and several bars are available, as are all-inclusive rates. Activities are abundant for kids and adults, and there are four pools (including a kids' option) plus a private beach area. Travelers looking for a less hectic option could check out the quaint Hotel Palladio instead, which only has 19 rooms.
About two miles from the heart of Cefalu, Calanica Residence Hotel offers beachfront real estate and a boutique-y atmosphere. The 26-unit property is perched over the teal Tyrrhenian Sea, offering dramatic views as well as a private beachfront terrace (the beach itself is very rocky) with loungers and Bali beds. Additionally, there is a large swimming pool (not overlooking the beach), and plenty of land and water activities, like tennis, soccer, and canoeing. Accommodations are quite unique for Sicily: each room is a private, freestanding bungalow with a kitchenette (in all but one), an outdoor deck, and a rainfall shower. Overall, the experience is very hard to beat, though to be within easier walking distance of historic Cefalu, try Astro Suite Hotel.
About two miles from the heart of Cefalu, Calanica Residence Hotel offers beachfront real estate and a boutique-y atmosphere. The 26-unit property is perched over the teal Tyrrhenian Sea, offering dramatic views as well as a private beachfront terrace (the beach itself is very rocky) with loungers and Bali beds. Additionally, there is a large swimming pool (not overlooking the beach), and plenty of land and water activities, like tennis, soccer, and canoeing. Accommodations are quite unique for Sicily: each room is a private, freestanding bungalow with a kitchenette (in all but one), an outdoor deck, and a rainfall shower. Overall, the experience is very hard to beat, though to be within easier walking distance of historic Cefalu, try Astro Suite Hotel.